A controversial tax change proposing the elimination of service charges in some areas of Chatham-Kent is going to the public for consultation.
The dates for public input haven't been released yet, but when it opens, the feedback is expected to be received online instead of in-person.
Chatham-Kent council has decided to get public feedback on a plan to scrap a few urban charges while increasing some rural taxes to get similar properties across the municipality paying the same amount.
Under the plan, rural taxpayers would pay an extra $300 on average a year for services, such as policing, streetlights and horticulture while urban taxpayers would save $225 a year on the average tax bill. A council report stated the goal is "to more accurately reflect the level of service provided to the property owners of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent."
However, some have already voiced their frustration on social media, saying the tax change is not fair.
"So again, small town and rural residents get to foot the bill for the larger centres," said Carl Tee on Facebook.
The current tax system takes into account either significant differences in service levels or the cost of providing services to different parts of Chatham-Kent. If changes to the tax model are approved, current service levels would not be impacted.
"I live in a rural area and never see a police car and for that, I will be paying $298 per $100,000 [of assessment]. What a bunch of BULL!" Mike Toulouse said.
The issue is expected to return to Chatham-Kent Council in November after a report is prepared and if approved, all property owners would pay equally for all services across Chatham-Kent.
"Rural residents wait twice as long, on average, for police to respond to a call, yet we’re being asked to pay the same? This is not a criticism of our police, but if we are paying equal amounts, we should get equal service," said Kelly Johnson.
A decision on tax ratios has also been deferred until the Spring to wait for a renewal of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) property assessments. Chatham-Kent Director of Financial Services Matt Torrance said farm values have gone up more than residential values over the past two reassessment cycles but he doesn't expect the trend to continue.
